BIO304: Human Physiology

Unit 12: The Digestive SystemThe digestive system begins in the mouth and continues through the
stomach and intestines, ending at the anus. In the mouth, chemical and
mechanical digestion begins. Food moves down the esophagus and into the
stomach for further digestion. Next, in the small intestines final
chemical breakdown and absorption occurs. What is left over after
absorption moves into the large intestines, where mainly only water is
absorbed. This waste material is further broken down by bacteria in the
large intestines and finally leaves the body through the anus via a
bowel movement. We control when we eat, but once we swallow our food,
the process until fecal matter leaves the anus is involuntary. This unit
discusses the steps of the digestive system from ingestion through
elimination.

Unit 12 Time Advisory
This unit should take approximately 7.75 hours to complete.

☐ Subunit 12.1: 1.5 hours

☐ Subunit 12.2: 0.25 hours

☐ Subunit 12.3: 6 hours

☐ Reading: 1 hour

☐ Assessments: 5 hours

Unit12 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
- describe the structure and function of the organs of the digestive
system;
- describe the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination and
their associated organs; and
- identify the disorders within the digestive system.

Instructions: Click on the link above and read this webpage to
understand how food moves from the mouth to the stomach and then
into the intestines and finally ends at the anus. Pay close
attention to the processes of digestion and absorption.
Reading this section should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Click on the link above and watch this video for a
quick overview of the digestive process.
Watching this video and pausing to take notes should take
approximately 15 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Read from “Conditions Affecting the Esophagus”
through “Gastrointestinal Dysfunctions” to learn the ways in which
the effectiveness of the gastrointestinal system can be
compromised.
Reading these sections should take approximately 1 hour to
complete.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.